We’re back from Christmas holidays and so is the crew downstairs. It’s so nice to see work being done again! Here’s a re-cap of where we’re at: The guys finished up on Dec.21st and at that point all of the framing was complete and half of the insulation was up.
Various inspections need to take place along the way. Sofar we’ve had the framing inspected (for structural soundness) as well as the electrical inspected. We were in luck that the inspectors were available and didn’t cause any delay. This can sometimes be the case. Once the insulation is complete we’ll need that to be inspected as well.
All of the electrical has been roughed in- again, another area that you really need to plan. You need to know what type of lighting you’d like to have in each area as well as exact placement ie. potlights, hanging light fixtures, sconces etc. There were areas that we weren’t 100% decided on so we roughed in extra. For example, I’m not sure about the lighting above the Kitchen Island- if we’ll go with one large single hanging light fixture or if 3 hanging pendants would look better. We had them rough in for 3 and then can cap off those spots if we decide to go with one. It’s better to leave your options open!
Plumbing for the powder room has been roughed in and they’re working on the Kitchen and rads next. (Electrical, plumbing and gas plan was put together by our Kitchen people for the plumber and electrician to follow). We bought a gas range and while this is being hooked up we’ve decided to run a line out to the back of the house as well for our bbq.
Spencer is putting together an updated timeline for us to review tomorrow.
1 response so far ↓
1 Victor // Dec 30, 2008 at 6:24 pm
As there are no responses, let me offer some tips on avoiding mistakes while removing last century KNOB and TUBE wiring.
K&T wiring is common in 60 year and older houses.
A SINGLE WORST KNOB and TUBE MISTAKE is hiring a handyman or a renovator to replace, remove, or repair your wiring. It’s like placing with your own hands ticking bombs into walls and ceiling.
All handymen and even some electricians would do the job faster by cutting corners.
A renovator would replace just visible pieces of the Knob and Tube or splice/connect wires without junction boxes. Temptation is very strong and there is no risk to lose “the handyman’s license”
Splicing without installing one junction box could save handyman from one hour to three hours and instantly make him $40 - $90. What if handymen could not resist such an enticement and what if they did not install 20 boxes? It’s easy to hide and impossible to detect. This and other tricks would save them 60% - 70% of time and create an even higher risk of fire than before the replacement.
Homeowners end up with the incorrectly installed new wiring, which is much more dangerous comparing to the old knob and tube
That is why a handyman, renovator, general contractor, and even a licensed electrician is neither allowed to do any electrical work nor Knob and Tube replacement in Toronto and/or in Ontario
Only a Licensed Electrical Contractor and ironically you, the owner/occupant of a single dwelling unit (if it’s also a fully detached house) could legally handle the electrical work in Ontario
You would face a fine, forfeit your insurance, put yourself and others at risk of fire if you allowed a handyman or even a general contractor to do the wiring
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) would force you to pay again for the correct wiring or cut off the power
Always check name/picture against Electrical Contractor & driver licenses and call licensure at 1-877 372-7233 then 1, then 3 to verify the contractor’s license
Understandably, licensed and honest electrical contractor could not compete in price with such handymen. But, of course you get what you pay for at the end of the day
The very least you should do is invite an Electrical Contractor for advice, inspection and consultation on how to do knob and tube rewiring correctly. And do not forget to get a permit and pass the ESA inspection. You would pay a little extra and save yourself from that ticking bomb.
More details on K&T wiring: http://electriciantoronto.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C8E8FCD32EF47467!130.entry
Leave a Comment